In an era of constant connectivity and rapid information exchange, the age-old tactic of war-mongering has found a new ally: digital misinformation. From the devastated cities of Ukraine to the embattled streets of Gaza, and the tense borders between India and Pakistan, conflict today is not just fought on the ground—it is waged online, across screens, timelines and feeds. The battle for hearts and minds has moved into the digital sphere, where truth is often the first casualty. The more serious damage is the perception that every piece of information is ‘news’ and the recipient blindly forwards it to every contact without basic checks to find the truth.
Let us see how it restarted in recent times and where the war-mongering misinformation tsunami is headed.
The Ukraine-Russia War: A Flood of Disinformation
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, propaganda from both sides has saturated the internet. Manipulated videos, outdated footage framed as current attacks and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated news reports have routinely misled millions. Russian State media has pushed narratives to justify its invasion, while Ukrainian channels have shared exaggerated or unverified claims in efforts to maintain morale and international support.
In this information war, even satellite images and combat footage are not immune to manipulation. Several seemingly credible sources, often boosted by bots or anonymous accounts, have shared content designed to sow confusion, fear, and rage.
Gaza and the Israeli Offensive: Misinformation with Real-world Consequences
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has also been heavily shaped by digital narratives. Misleading videos of explosions, recycled images from earlier wars and false claims about casualties and ceasefires have gone viral within minutes. Social media platforms have struggled to moderate content that incites hatred or misrepresents facts.
Fake news in this context is not just about distorted numbers—it feeds into deep-seated communal sentiments. Emotionally charged content, whether it is a photo of a child or a call to violence, is widely shared without verification, escalating tensions online and offline.
India-Pakistan Tensions: Nationalism Amplified by Misinformation
Closer to home, India and Pakistan’s long-standing hostilities and cross-border issues are frequently fanned by digital misinformation. Whenever there is a skirmish at the line of control (LoC) or a terrorist attack, hashtags trend rapidly, often laced with inflammatory posts, doctored videos and false patriotic claims.
For example, Pratik Sinha, co-founder and editor of AltNews pointed out how people in India are posting a video claiming that it is an attack on Sialkot, while people in Pakistan are posting the same video claiming it is an attack on Amritsar air base. Actually, the video is from February 2024 and is claimed to be that of a forest fire, he says on X.
Mr Sinha also shared two videos widely circulated on social media, claiming that the video shows how Indian forces shot down Pakistani jets. However, he says these are gaming videos and are nowhere related to ‘Operation Sindoor’!
Shockingly, several news channels are also found using old videos of attacks, plane crashes and fires to add fuel to their television rating points (TRPs). For example, Bengali news channel ABP Ananda showed a three-month-old video of a plane crash in Philadelphia in their bulletin as the aftermath of an INS Vikrant strike in Pakistani port city of Karachi. Similarly, Zee News can be seen running captions like India attacked the capital of Pakistan which is far from the truth (as of today)!
What is more worrisome is that even ministers are found citing social media posts as 'evidence'! When asked by CNN about the evidence Pakistan has to back his claim that the country shot down five Indian jets, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the defence minister, says, "It’s all over social media!"
In recent years, misinformation in the guise of news alleging attacks, strikes, or infiltration attempts has gone viral, only to be debunked hours or days later. By then, the damage is done. Mobs have been incited, minorities targeted and diplomatic channels strained—all from falsehoods propagated with viral ease.
The Machinery behind Fake Propaganda
Fake content or misinformation spreads fast for many reasons:
- Political gain: Nationalist or ideological actors benefit from polarisation.
- Economic incentives: Clickbait and sensationalism drive traffic, which means ad revenue.
- Psychological manipulation: Fear, anger, and community loyalty are powerful emotions that drive shares.
Often, misinformation is seeded by fringe groups or anonymous sources, but it gains credibility as it is shared by influencers or news outlets without verification.
How to recognise and resist propaganda posts
While the responsibility to combat misinformation also lies with platforms and governments, individual vigilance is crucial.
Here is how you, as an average citizen, can protect yourself from false information:
Pause and think before sharing
Don’t forward a shocking video or post just because it aligns with your beliefs or emotions. Ask yourself: Is it from a credible source? Has it been verified?
Use reverse image search
Tools like Google Image Search or TinEye can help you trace where an image or video first appeared. Often, 'breaking news' visuals are recycled from older or unrelated events. For videos, you can take a screenshot and use it for image search.
Rely on verified news outlets
Stick to reputable, mainstream media sources—especially those that cite government, military, or independent monitors. Be cautious of anonymous handles and sensational YouTube channels.
Report fake content
Every platform, from WhatsApp to Instagram to X (formerly Twitter), offers reporting tools. Use them. Remember, misinformation thrives when left unchecked.
Beware of deepfakes and AI content
As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more sophisticated, distinguishing real from fake will become harder. Be wary of videos that lack source attribution, sound robotic, or seem too perfect.
Misinformation during conflict is not a new phenomenon—it is as old as war itself. Remember the (in)famous 'Naro va kunjaro va' (a man or an elephant) reply from Yudhishthir in the Mahabharat, when asked by his guru Drona whether Ashwatthama is killed?
Unfortunately, in the digital age, the reach and speed of such responses are unprecedented. War-mongering through social media is not just a virtual threat. It fuels real-world violence, hate crimes and diplomatic crises.
In such a time, critical thinking, digital literacy and restraint are among the most powerful weapons the public holds. The cost of spreading fake news isn’t just embarrassment—it could be lives.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe!
